Newsmakers: Aditya Thackeray's first ban, Jaya's big rally

Barack Obama is due to visit India in two weeks and his visit is causing the same amount of flurry as the reincarnation of a messiah would.

The hype itself seems to be on a self-perpetuating loop with wild tales of what is going to be discussed when he arrives to the more droll stories on how the Parliament is being cleaned up for his arrival.

The hottest issues on the table are the Nuclear Liability bill, the new-found hatred America has towards outsourcing, military ties and bilateral trade. One hopes that this over-hyped event, which many are claiming will herald a new era in Indo-US relations, doesn't turn out to be a damp squib.

Obama, for his part, is trying to make it as smooth a visit as possible, by getting rid of thorny issues through underlings before he touches Indian soil. Already, the US has announced that it supports India's role in Afghanistan, believes Kashmir is not an issue it has a role in and has made favourable noises towards increasing trade between the nations.

It is beginning to appear like the activities of a new couple flush in the first stages of love - eager to please and easily excitable at the very mention of the significant other's name.

Image: President Barack Obama speaks during a rally for Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash on Oct. 21, 2010, at the University of Washington in Seattle.